The guy that used to run my shop was a mine safety inspector before working for me, and he always insisted on at least once a year -- taking down the powder-type extinguishers, turning them upside down and gently rapping the bottom (now on top) with a rubber mallet a few times.

He claimed that the powder naturally settles to the bottom of the canister and that the gentle yearly taps keep it more ready to disperse when used.

Anybody ever heard that one? I do it with the extinguishers I've got - they've worked when needed.

Logged

Jon E. Wennerberg a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim Skandia, Michigan (that's way up north)2 Club member x2Owner of landracing.com

The guy that used to run my shop was a mine safety inspector before working for me, and he always insisted on at least once a year -- taking down the powder-type extinguishers, turning them upside down and gently rapping the bottom (now on top) with a rubber mallet a few times.

He claimed that the powder naturally settles to the bottom of the canister and that the gentle yearly taps keep it more ready to disperse when used.

Anybody ever heard that one? I do it with the extinguishers I've got - they've worked when needed.

Yes.

Common for the powder in 20 pounders on locomotives to settle down and pack into the fitting where the discharge hose screws into the main body due to vibrations rendering the extinguisher inoperative.

More complete inspections included first checking to see the CO2 cartridge seal hadn't been pierced then unscrew the hose, check for an unblocked fitting and loose powder in the bottom of the extinguisher, then knocking out any powder that had worked it's way into the hose before replacing the hose and doing a final powder level check.

Called FedEx for pickup today, the agent said they have had hundreds of pick up calls for fire extinguishers. Must be costing Kidde a fortune.

Andy

Probably so, but you know what? Even if this was an issue forced upon them by the government or their lawyers, I think it speaks to the character of the people who run the company that they would actually implement and follow through on this program with no undue headaches to the consumer.

I'll buy their products again - and along with their smoke alarms and CO detectors, hope I never have to send them a "thank you" note.

Logged

"Problems are almost always a sign of progress." Harold BettesWell, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .